Beth Cato's Blog, page 108

“The Deepest Poison” is out!

Today is the release date for my Clockwork Dagger short story, “The Deepest Poison!” It’s on all electronic platforms and sells for under a buck. It’s about 7,000 words, so it’s a pretty hefty story for the money, too. If you want to check out some reviews, there are some here and there. It can be read before or after The Clockwork Dagger.

What it’s about: Octavia Leander, a young healer with incredible powers, has found her place among Miss Percival’s medicians-in-training. Called to the frontlines of a never-ending war between Caskentia and the immoral Wasters, the two women must uncover the source of a devastating illness that is killing thousands of soldiers. But when Octavia’s natural talents far outshine her teacher’s, jealousy threatens to destroy their relationship—as time runs out to save the encampment.

Fans of Beth Cato’s debut, The Clockwork Dagger, will love this journey into Octavia’s past—as well as an exclusive excerpt from the sequel, The Clockwork Crown!

 

“The Deepest Poison: A Clockwork Dagger Story”

published by Harper Voyager Impulse

ebook

Release date: April 28, 2015

Price: 99-cents

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Google Play
iTunes

Thanks! If you read it, please review it and spread the word, too. Every bit helps.

Links and Things

It’s end of the month catch-up-time here. I spent the weekend revising a big batch of poems I wrote during November Poem-A-Day–yes, I’m that behind on things. The next order of business will involve sending out poems (poetry editors: brace yourselves). I have a month until Phoenix Comicon (my panel schedule is online!) followed by the release of Clockwork Crown, so life will soon escalate in craziness.

And hey, there’s a lot of other cool stuff to share, too.

– Have you ever wondered what a literary publicist actually does? One of my fellow Harper Voyager authors interviewed our publicist!

– Author Teresa Frohock invited me to her blog, where I discuss medicine and magic in “The Deepest Poison” and The Clockwork Dagger series. If you want to read about World War I medicine, I list the books I used as sources!

– Editor Rhonda Parrish revealed the cover for B is for Broken. I have a flash story in here for the letter K. There’s also a Goodreads giveaway to win a copy of the book.

I have two new, very different interviews up:

– AFE Smith asks me about the books and goodies I’d bring to a desert island.

– Rhonda Parrish questions me about my story in the FAE anthology over at World Weaver Press.

Tomorrow is the release day for “The Deepest Poison!” Whee!

Sunday Quote releases her Clockwork story in two days

“Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters.”

~Neil Gaiman

Blog tour for “The Deepest Poison”

Next Tuesday, my Clockwork Dagger prequel story “The Deepest Poison” is released. This is 7,000 words of World War I-inspired action and magic for 99-cents at all online booksellers. To promote the release, I’m doing a blog tour! There’s a Rafflecopter giveaway for The Clockwork Dagger, too.

Review at A Dream Within a Dream

Interview at Curling Up With a Good Book

A peek inside my purse at iFandomsCollide

Review at For the Love of Words

The tour will continue through next week, too, so I’ll post an updated list later on. Please enter to win (heck, you can always give the copy to a friend/enemy), spread the word, and preorder if you can. Every bit helps!

 

“The Deepest Poison: A Clockwork Dagger Story”

published by Harper Voyager Impulse

ebook

Release date: April 28, 2015

Price: 99-cents

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Google Play
iTunes

Bready or Not: Cookie Dough Fudge Brownies

If you can’t make up your mind about whether you want fudge or brownies, I have the perfect recipe for you.

Eat these straight out of the fridge, and you have brownies with a sweet cookie dough taste. Let them warm up to room temperature, and you have chocolately cookie dough fudge.

I found the original recipe in an old Taste of Home magazine. When I visited my hometown last Thanksgiving, my mom handed me a stack of magazines to go through when I unshackled myself from the computer. See, I was zooming through the rough draft of “The Deepest Poison,” and food magazines provided me with a happy, no-effort brain break.

I mixed up the recipe to make it my own. I added marshmallows. I tweaked amounts. Don’t let all the steps in the directions intimidate you. You can make this in layers over a day or so. The leftovers will keep well in a sealed container in the fridge, too.

Do keep in mind that this makes a 9×13 pan. That’s a lot of sweet cookie dough brownie-fudge love, people.

Greatly modified from Two-Tone Fudge Brownies from Taste of Home June/July 2001

 

Bready or Not: Cookie Dough Fudge Brownies





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Eat these straight out of the fridge, and you have brownies with a sweet cookie dough taste. Let them warm up to room temperature, and you have chocolately cookie dough fudge. Awesome either way!

Brownie layer:
1 cup semisweet or milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups (half a 10 ounce bag) mini marshmallows

Cookie dough layer:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons milk (almond milk works)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chocolate chips (mini chips work great)

Ganache:
8 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate

Start assembling the brownie layer. Line a 9x13 pan with aluminum foil and apply nonstick spray. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips. Let them cool slightly.

Preheat oven at 350-degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir in the melted chocolate. Combine flour and baking soda, and slowly mix into the wet ingredients. Stir in the walnuts and half of the marshmallows.

Glop it into the ready pan and spread the dough out evenly. Top it with the remaining marshmallows. Bake it for 18-22 minutes, until it passes the toothpick test. Allow to completely cool.

Next is the cookie dough layer. Cream the butter and two sugars, then add the milk and vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour. Add the chocolate chips last.

Dollop the dough on top of the brownies and use an offset spatula to form a thin layer across the top. Set it in the fridge to chill for an hour or so.

For the ganache, set the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until you can stir it smoothly. Use an offset spatula to smooth it over the cookie dough layer. Set it at room temperature or chill in fridge to set.

Use the aluminum foil to lift the brownies out for easy cutting. I found it cut smoothest with the brownies flipped over, chocolate on the bottom. Note that the chocolate will still likely shatter some as you cut it.

Brownies are best chilled and stored in the fridge. If kept at room temperature for a while, they soften a lot and become very fudge-like, but firm up again when chilled. It's awesome either way.

OM NOM NOM!

 

An Interview with Steve Bein, author of DISCIPLE OF THE WIND

Today I welcome guest author Steve Bein. He’s a regular contributor to the neo-novelist group Novelocity, of which I’m webmistress. His third book from Roc just came out. Here’s more about Disciple of the Wind:

When Tokyo falls victim to a deadly terrorist attack, Mariko Oshiro knows who is responsible, even though she doesn’t have proof. She pleads with her commanding officers to arrest the perpetrator, an insane zealot who was just released from police custody. When her pleas fall on deaf ears, she loses her temper and then her badge, as well as her best chance of fighting back.

Left on her own, Mariko must work outside the system to stop a terrorist mastermind, armed with only her cunning and her famed Inazuma blade. But going rogue draws the attention of an underground syndicate that has been controlling Japanese politics from the shadows for centuries. They are the Wind, and they have a penchant for mystical relics—relics like Mariko’s own sword, and the iron demon mask whose evil curse is bound to the blade. Now the Wind is set on acquiring Mariko.

Mariko is left with a perilous choice: join an illicit insurgency to thwart a deadly villain or remain true to the law. Either way, she cannot escape her sword’s curse. As sure as the blade will bring her to victory, it will eventually destroy her…

You’re a confessed Japanophile from an early age. What was your favorite cartoon/anime as a kid? Do you have a new favorite now?

I can’t say I watch much anime anymore, but my favorite way back when was TranZor Z. The people who created the show would tell you it’s about a giant robot who defends the Earth from giant aliens, but to me it was about the kid who pilots the robot. He had this hovercraft that also served as TranZor Z’s brain. The same animated sequence shows up in every episode: the kid leaves home in the hovercraft, docks it in the robot’s cranium, and brings TranZor Z to life. I thought that was the coolest thing ever.

I like standard urban fantasy novels, but one thing I really liked about Mariko was that she grew a lot through her bond with her addict sister rather than through a romance. Did you decide to go that route from an early stage?

Yes. I don’t read romance, so I don’t really know how to write romance. But more importantly, I don’t like seeing female characters defined by their function as half of a couple. That’s not because of some well-articulated feminist stance (though I do have one of those); it’s because I don’t find those women interesting to read about. Mariko kicks ass because I like reading about ass-kickers. She doesn’t need a boyfriend to rescue and she definitely doesn’t need a boyfriend to rescue her.

Some reviewers of Year of the Demon had an observation along similar lines: when Mariko gets promoted to Narcotics, she gets a partner, and apparently everyone expected Mariko and Han (her partner) to hook up. I think that’s bizarre. Why can’t a man and a woman just be buddies? When did it become the rule that if they trust each other and confide in each other, the next step is inevitably a kiss? I just don’t get it.

I confess, I loved the entire Daughter of the Sword (the first book), but the historical parts (Glorious Victory Unsought and Tiger on the Mountain) were my favorites. Have you written/considered writing pure historical fiction?

Absolutely. There are so many episodes in Japanese history that demand my attention. The Mongol invasions don’t need any fantasy element; these people had grenades, rocketry, and primitive tanks. Takeda Shingen is one of the baddest badasses ever to walk the earth; he deserves a novel all to himself. Some day I’d like to write those books. The only question is when.

The Fated Blades series obviously involved heavy duty research and plotting. Did you outline the full arc from the start? How did it develop?

I wrote Daughter of the Sword as a standalone, and spent years submitting it to agents and seeing it rejected. (I don’t take that personally; it’s a genre-bending book, and genre-benders aren’t the easiest to sell.) When I finally signed an agent, we got an offer from Roc right away, and they asked if I could write a sequel. The correct answer to that question is yes, regardless of whether or not it’s true.

Having said yes, I had to figure out how to write the next one, and I discovered that I’d accidentally laid the perfect foundation for a series. Mariko’s a cop, and there will never be an end to police stories. Interwoven with Mariko’s story are all the historical set pieces, and I’d already set aside nine hundred years’ worth of history to work with. I had two bottomless wells to draw from, so I was all set.

What martial arts do you practice?

These days it’s exclusively Brazilian jiujitsu, but I came up in a Jeet Kune Do system. That’s the art Bruce Lee founded, designed for street self-defense. I’ve dabbled in a bunch of other arts too (I think the last count was 25), including several sword arts, which obviously inform these books quite a bit.

There is one moment in a fight scene that’s directly lifted from my own experience. In Japan I trained jiujitsu with a former sumo wrestler. Let me tell you, once that guy got on top of you, there was no getting out. In Daughter of the Sword, I have an ex-sumo wrestler tackle Mariko, leaving her feeling as helpless as I felt.

If a history nut like me wants to learn more about samurai, what are a few books (fiction or nonfiction) you would recommend?

The first one I read is still my favorite: Secrets of the Samurai by Adele Westbrook and Oscar Ratti. Stephen Turnbull’s The Samurai is another excellent choice, and after you read that, read William Wayne Farris’s Heavenly Warriors as a counterpoint to Turnbull.

You can also go to the primary texts. The most famous one is Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Five Rings. I like the Hagakure better; it’s the compiled sayings of a veteran samurai recorded by a young samurai who wants to better understand bushidō. There are also English translations of Yagyū Munenori, a samurai with a keen interest in Zen. His school of swordsmanship still exists, actually, which I think is pretty cool.

Your third Fated Blades novel, Disciple of the Wind, just came out, but can you also tell us about your new novella?

It’s called Streaming Dawn, and it takes place between Year of the Demon and Disciple of the Wind. It’s a tale of politics and intrigue, honor and dishonor, fabled swords and ninja badassery. It also introduces the most sinister of the Inazuma blades, a dagger known as Streaming Dawn. It’s written as a standalone novella, so for anyone who hasn’t read the books it’s a perfect entry point to the saga of the Fated Blades. People who already know the novels will enjoy discovering the backstory of Mariko’s famed sword, Glorious Victory Unsought, and they’ll recognize some beloved characters: the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Daigoro’s legendary father, Okuma Tetsurō, and everyone’s favorite one-handed pearl diver, Kaida.

Thanks, Steve!

More about my guest:

Steve Bein (pronounced “Bine”) is a philosopher, photographer, traveler, translator, martial artist, and award-winning author of science fiction and fantasy. His short fiction has appeared in Asimov’s, Interzone, Writers of the Future, and in international translation. His first novel, Daughter of the Sword, was met with critical acclaim, and his second novel, Year of the Demon, was named one of the top five fantasy novels of 2013 by Library Journal. Steve’s newest book, Disciple of the Wind is in stores now, and his new novella, Streaming Dawn, is available now for your e-reader. You can find his work at Powell’s, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Audible.

Steve teaches philosophy at Texas State University. He lives in Austin with his partner Michele and their Lab, Kane. You can keep up with him online at facebook/philosofiction, @AllBeinMyself, and http://www.philosofiction.com.

Sunday Quote ponders life’s mysteries

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”

~Thoreau

Publication Flood

I’ve commented before that publishing events seem to happen in odd little bursts. I’ll hear nothing for months, then have a torrent of acceptances/rejections. The same goes for publications. Up until last week, I had zero stories published in 2014. Then in about a week, I had three out, two of them pro. Plus two poems.

Need to procrastinate and read? Well, here you go:

– My story “Bread of Life” is up at Nature. This is my third story in Nature, and the tale is… appropriately me. There’s also a blog post with the story behind the story.

– Daily Science Fiction published “From the Ashes,” one of those rare, uplifting post-apocalyptic stories.

– At Fantasy Scroll Magazine you can read my longer story, “My Brother’s Keeper.” It features southern-fried magic, family love, and pie.

As for poetry:

– Devilfish Review published “The Migration of Winged Jukeboxes.” More poetry should mention Steve Perry, I think.

– Kaleidotrope has a more whimsical poem, “Squished Things.”

I’ve also popped up elsewhere online:

– I took part in an SF Signal Mind Meld on The City and Epic Road Trips.

– I had a new recipe at the Holy Taco Church: Bacon Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies.

– I also asked one of my favorite authors, C.E. Murphy, about how she plotted series. She answered, and it’s interesting stuff.

Bready or Not: Maple Brussels Sprouts

I’m here to convert you to the goodness of Brussels sprouts. Also known as: maple syrup makes everything better.

If you’re like me and a lot of other folks, you have scarring childhood memories of Brussels sprouts (or as I remember them, nasty mini cabbage-like things). My mom, bless her heart, boiled them. The result was not delicious.

It was only last year I decided to make my own Brussels sprouts. For a few years, I had noticed recipes on Pinterest that made the roasted version look delicious. Then I ate some at a nice restaurant and realized, “I can do this myself for a whole lot cheaper.”

The maple syrup doesn’t make these sugary sweet, but the sweetness is definitely there. It makes these the perfect complement to all sorts of savory, salty meats. Leftovers are also fabulous cold out of the fridge or chopped into a sweet salad.

On that note, you can also use this maple vinaigrette as a salad dressing. Just increase the amounts in proportion (say, 1/2 cup each of olive oil and maple syrup, and 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar) and store the leftovers in the fridge. Use it on mixed greens, slaws, etc.

Maple. Best stuff ever.

 

Bready or Not: Maple Brussels Sprouts with Maple Vinaigrette Dressing/Marinade





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Forget the childhood trauma of Brussels sprouts with this slightly-sweet roasted version.

About 1 lb Brussels sprouts
2 Tb olive oil
2 Tb pure maple syrup
1 Tb apple cider vinegar
salt
(optional: 2-3 slices of bacon, chopped)

Prepare the Brussels sprouts. Remove any damaged leaves and trim the stem to remove any browning, then slice the sprouts into quarters or halves depending on their size. Place them in a gallon-sized Ziplock-type bag. (If you want to add bacon, add it to bag.)

Add the oil, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar to the bag. Seal the bag and give everything a good jostle and shake. You can bake right away or set the bag in the fridge for several hours. If you let it marinate, turn the bag every so often.

Preheat oven to 425-degrees. Set out a rimmed cookie sheet; for easy cleaning, line it with aluminum foil. Pour the Brussels sprouts onto the sheet and make them as even as possible. Add some salt.

Bake for 15 minutes, turn and stir sprouts, then roast for another 10 or 15 minutes until they are firm yet tender.

OM NOM NOM!

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Total time: 40 minutes

 

Locus Poll Ends Tomorrow

One last reminder: voting for the Locus Awards ends tomorrow, on April 15th. The Clockwork Dagger is one of their recommended 1st novels for 2014 so it’s already listed on the ballot. (I also highly recommend you buy and read Corinne Duyvis’s book Otherbound–it’s awesome! It’s also listed in the 1st Novels category.)

One thing that sets these awards apart from the other major genre awards is that ANYONE can vote. This is especially noteworthy in light of the recent Hugo kerfuffle. All you need to do is fill in your name, email, and vote in whatever category you want. The ballot is huge and looks intimidating, but you don’t have to fill in everything.